Salary question??

scarlett1110 · Feb 19, 2006

When people that work at delphi packard make $28 an hour with no education or even a high school diploma then I think I can complain about my $23 an hour with a BSN and my big loan!

guest64485 · Feb 19, 2006

It will have taken me 3 years to get my ASN. And that's with already having a bachelor's degree.

Starting wage here for a hospital nurse is 19.50/hr. That goes up to about 27 with max experience.

MayisontheWay · Feb 19, 2006

Ive been doing a lot of reading on this site and noticed that alot of people complain about pay. However, I read classifieds, sallary.com, and testimonials on here as well that are saying 50-60 grand a year. While your not getting rich, this seems like a pretty decent salary, espically when it only requires 2 years of school to become an RN.Anyone explain?

I tend to believe this perception is common and is the reason salaries will never change too much. How many of you have said that it took far longer to get a two year degree than two years? Why not just get a BSN? I tend to believe the entry level salary would look a little different if the entry level education were a BSN.

Please don't bash me for bringing up this debate. It just seems to me that ADN nursing education is worth far more than an Associate's degree.

May

Focker, CRNA · Feb 19, 2006

As a nurse, I made more money right out of college than anyone else I know. Combine that with a job that lets you have 4 days off per week, a ton of vacation time, and plenty of opportunity for advancement (as far as types of advanced education you can get into) and I don't really see what anyone is complaining about. I think we are on the better side of the job market. I think people envision all the business school graduates (or maybe those lucrative exercise & sports science degree holders) working their way through the ranks and making six figures by the time they are thirty, I'm fairly certain a majority of them hit a far less satisfying plateau. And I dont see how those jobs can be nearly as satisfying:

What did you do today Nurse Dave? Oh, my pt. tried to stop breathing, lucky I had an ambu bag handy to hold him over until we could intubate.

What did you do today B-school graduate Dave? I filed some TPA reports and decorated my cubicle.

ceecel.dee, MSN, RN · Feb 19, 2006

...it just seems that some non-nursing careers pay a lot better than nursing, and don't seem to be as physically and mentally exhausting....

Yes, this is the point.

augigi, CNS · Feb 20, 2006

I agree it is the relative worth of the position that people feel disappointed about, rather than the absolute pay. Personally, I went to the business world for a medical device company a couple of years ago. I now find that after 2 years, I miss nursing terribly. The things I like doing are clinical, and in planning for the future, it depresses me to think of "succeeding" in business... because it is fairly meaningless. I would add that I work harder than I ever did at nursing though - travel every week, do many many hours of overtime which are not paid, and a lot of ongoing study... all without that sense when you go home that you have made a difference.

Nursing should be valued more by society and paid accordingly. However, until nurses stand together and fight with a united front, it won't happen.

shodobe · Feb 20, 2006

I feel bad for all of you who work their tails off and don't get compensated for it. I guess I am lucky because earn well in my specialty. I have worked as an OR nurse for almost 30 years and now I am earning $41/hr at my full-time job, with benes. I also work mornings at two other places making close to the same. This last year with all 3 places and OT I grossed almost $135,000. I live in Calif so it is expensive, but have owned my house for over 10 years. Utilites, gas, and food are a bit higher than other states, but not that much.When people talk about earning more money in the private sector with no stress, I kind of laugh because none of these people can honestly say their job is secure. Look at Ford, Kodak and such large corporations. Even with the unions there their jobs were snuffed out and they were like a million other unemployed people. Nurses, on the other hand, have the oppurtunity to find work almost anywhere. Now, I know there are those who say this isn't true but that is wrong. The problem lies in the fact these people will not go where the work is because of family, mostly. Their spouse can't leave because of his work, kids can't be just uprooted from schools, etc.... There are people who scourer the country looking for work, will move almost anywhere and still can't find a job because their field is saturated and no one needs them. Nurses really don't have this problem because you might not like what you do but it is at least work. Good luck to all, I know it is tough.

NephroBSN, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2006

well in my opinion 50-60k is good money, not amazing. it would allow me to live a good life. As far as advancement ive always thought that there was a lot of room for advancement. Move up to a NP or whatnot.Im only 20 so ive got plenty of time, go back to school if need be. thanks for the reply.

50-60k.. My son is 28 has a high school education. Started at $70K in Sept 2005. Got his first quarterly bonus of $1k. That's QUARTERLY. Next Sept he will get around $8-$9k raise.

I've been a nurse for 26 years. I have a four year degree. I save people's lives .. He doesn't.

I've never gotten a $1k bonus. I remember the years when I was making $10/hr. We got a 3% raise. That meant it took 3 YEARS to get ONE DOLLAR.

If a nurse is making $30/hr. and get 5% ( which she probably won't get) that's a $1.50..Heck most fast food place give 50 cents.

Also, please compare football players, baseball players, actors etc.

We are NOT getting compensated appropriately

DDSS2000 · Feb 20, 2006

$50-60 is a healthy income. What has happened in our society is that we base our value on what we earn but not what we give of ourselves to our chosen careers. If you find that your income is not satisfying, then maybe you have chosen the wrong path in life. Nursing is about the care of others with the return of an income. It doesn't matter what career field a person enters into, if you always feel that you are not being paid fairly, you will never find satisfaction in what you are doing.

What I find quite interesting is that those who do earn a nice income, such as this, nickle and dime the small business owner for their hard earned income. Which, in reality is the same as what others are complaining about with their own income...they are devalueing their time and hard work.

So, in a nutshell, we should all work hard; put our heart into our service, and strive to do well with our income, but not in sacrificing the joy that we all desire in our lives.

SuperFlyRN · Feb 20, 2006

I am in Ontario Canada and we do not have a two year program-only a four-year Bachelor's (yes, we are VERY short of RN's!) and we have a nurse's union so starting pay is not bad. I have been nursing for 4 years and I make $75000-that does not include weekend premium, shift premium etc. Not bad for sure. But you do work your behind off. :rolleyes:

TBrownlee · Feb 20, 2006

I have a question, does degree or experience differ in salary. I am wondering if going back to school to get BSN MSN is it worth it salary increases or too mcuh stress???

:confused: Tricia

shodobe · Feb 20, 2006

I have a question, does degree or experience differ in salary. I am wondering if going back to school to get BSN MSN is it worth it salary increases or too mcuh stress???
:confused: Tricia

I don't think you will find to much difference in pay. Yes, you will make more per hour but will be restricted to OT since you will be considered upper management not eligible for OT. Higher degrees, IMHO, is only good for the soul not for the pocketbook. I would only do it if it would make a SIGNIFICANT difference in my earnings. I would tell anyone if they have the choice of getting their BSN vs ADN, I would definitely go for the BSN. Why? I think it will benefit you down the years when you want to kick back and enjoy a differnet aspect of nursing. The more experience you have the better.